Extra show of "Peter Pan" by Northern Ballet Theatre＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

An additional performance of the ballet "Peter Pan" will be held on July 11 at 11.30am at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre in response to overwhelming public demand. Tickets will be available from tomorrow (May 28) at URBTIX outlets.

Performed by the UK's renowned Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT), "Peter Pan" kicks off the large-scale summer International Arts Carnival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" has fascinated children and adults for over a hundred years and in this two-act ballet, the NBT brings all the charm of this famous story to life. A splendid blend of classical ballet, wonderful flying feats, dazzling stage design and enchanting original score, the production is a treat for both young and old, taking audiences on a magical adventure with Peter, adventurous Wendy, mischievous Tinkerbell, and villainous Captain Hook.

The production was acclaimed as "poignant, action-packed and full of childish fun" by the Yorkshire Post. BBC Online said "this new ballet has breathtaking moments of flying".

It features a star-studded creative team, including choreographer/director/costume designer David Nixon, also the artistic director of the company, who was voted Director of the Year by readers of "Dance Europe" in 2003 and 2006; composer Stephen Warbeck who won an Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score for "Shakespeare in Love"; set and lighting designer Peter Mumford, a Laurence Olivier Award winner.

Artistic director David Nixon's career began at the National Ballet of Canada where he progressed rapidly through the ranks to become a principal dancer. In 1985 he joined the Deutsche Oper Ballet in Berlin as principal dancer where he won the Critics Award for Best Male Performance (1987). He produced and directed a successful mixed programme, "David Nixon's Liaisons", at the Hebbel Theatre, Berlin, in 1990. Four years later, he became the artistic director of BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Nixon joined the NBT as the artistic director in 2001 and has revitalised the company by adding an impressive array of new works to the repertoire, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which was nominated for a Laurence Olivier award, "The Three Musketeers" which was nominated for a Laurence Olivier award and won a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award, and the popular "Madame Butterfly". Under his leadership, the company won the Audience Awards at the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards, UK, for three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006; and the Patrons' Award at the 2008 Critics' Circle National Dance Awards, UK.

Leeds-based Northern Ballet Theatre, founded in 1969, was the first British ballet company in England to be established outside London. The NBT does not set out to be a "traditional" ballet company. Instead, it has developed a unique style of "ballet-theatre" based on strong, movement-based story-telling.

The NBT attracts talented dancers from all over the world, drawn to the company's unique style of strong narrative work with popular appeal. It tours throughout the UK, including London, and regularly performs overseas, most recently in Thailand (2005), China (2006 & 2007), USA (2008), Italy (2009), Spain (2010).

"Peter Pan" will also be performed at 7.30pm on July 9 and 10, and at 3.30pm on July 10 and 11 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre.

Tickets priced at $120, $180, $240, $300 and $360 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Booking discounts of up to 20% are available for full-price performing arts/film programmes.

Programme guides of the International Arts Carnival are available at URBTIX outlets or at the carnival website, www.hkiac.gov.hk .

For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999.

Ends/Thursday, May 27, 2010
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An additional performance of the ballet "Peter Pan" will be held on July 11 at 11.30am at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre in response to overwhelming public demand. "Peter Pan" is the opening programme of this summer's International Arts Carnival.

A splendid blend of classical ballet, wonderful flying feats, dazzling stage design and enchanting original score, the production is a treat for both young and old, taking audiences on a magical adventure with Peter Pan.